Machine for filling cans



1952 D. M. MCBEAN EI'AL MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS.

Filed Feb. 4, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet l J INVENTOR. DOUGLAS M M BEAN LAURENCE 0. TALLMAIV Arm RICHARD E MOYER OR E Dec. 16, 1952 D. M. MCBEAN ETAL 2,621,844

MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS Filed Feb. 4, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. DOUGLAS M. MGBEAN LAURENCE a mLLMA/v BY m; RICHARD E. MOYER ATTORNEY W Dec. 16, 1952 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 D. M. MOBEAN ElAL MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS M. M BEAA LAURENCE 6. 7J4LLMA/V AND RICHARD .E MOYER A TTORNEY D. M. MCBEAN EI'AL 2,621,844

Dec. 16, I952 MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 INVENTOR. M. M BEAI BY LAURENCE 6. TALLMAIV M0 RICHARD E MOYER ATTORNEY ZI-p Dec, 16, 1952 D. M. MOBEAN EfrAL MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS- 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 m9 I, v x mm km mm 3% w m:

I. I 0 WE INVENTOR DOUGLAS M. AW'BEAN LAURENCE Q TALLMAIV AND RICHARD E MOYER ATTORNEY Dec. 16, 1952 D. M. MOBEAN EI'AL 2,621,844

MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS Filed Feb. 4, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIHl ELM 206 23 H6111.

r I l I97 INVENTOR. I84 I98 DOUGLAS M M BEAN LAURENCE G TALL/WAN BY 2w RICHARD E MOYER 4T TOHNE Y DGC. 16, 1952 D M'MCBEAN r 2,621,844

MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS Filed Feb. 4, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 269 240 250- 267 M 24 60 I70 M dg z ax v vuflllg; mil

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INVENTOR. DOUGLAS M. M BEAN BY LAURENCE 0. TliLLMAN Alva RICHARD EI MOYER ATTORNEY f 8 Sheets-Sheet 8- INVENTOR. DOUGLAS M. M BEAN LAURENCE 0. TALLMA/V D. M. M BEAN El AL MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS Q W, Q.,

Dec, 16, 1952 Filed Feb. 4, 1949 aqa' 0 RICHARD E MOE/F Patented Dec. 16, 1952 MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS Douglas M. McBean, Rochester, Laurence 0. Tallman, Churchville, and Richard E. Moyer, East Rochester, N. Y., assignors to McBean Research Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 4, 1949, Serial No. 74,594

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to loading or filling machinery and particularly to machinery for filling foodstuffs into cans. In a more specific aspect, the invention relates to machinery for filling cans with sauerkraut, spaghetti, or similar foods.

Heretofore, sauerkraut has been packed into cans by hand. Hand-packing has also been largely enployed in the canning of spaghetti, macaroni, and similar foods. Hand-packing is slow and costly. Moreover, there can be no exact control over the amount of food product which is packed into a can when the operation is done manually. It has been found, for instance, that sometimes as much as three extra ounces of kraut may be packed into a standard size can by an inexperienced operator when the can is filled manually.

In the packing of sauerkraut particularly it has also been the practice heretofore just prior to canning the kraut to transfer the kraut from the pickling vats, in which it has been stored and conditioned, into a vat in which steam may be injected into it, or in which it may otherwise be heated, and to handpack the kraut from this vat into the cans. The steaming vat is large; and sometimes some of the kraut will stand for several hours in the steaming vat before it is picked up by the operator and put into a can. The longer the kraut stands after it is heated, of course, the more likely it is to become discolored, which is objectionable and may be cause for rejection and loss of the kraut.

one object of the present 'invention is to provide a machine for automatically loading sauerkraut, spaghetti, and similar foods into cans.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for packing goods and especially foodstuffs into cans in which an exact control can be had over the amount of goods packed into each can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for canning spaghetti and like foods which will allow loading into a can pieces of spaghetti that are of great length which is a desirable asset from an epicurean standpoint.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. machine which is adjustable to permit varying amounts of food to be packed in accordance with the size of the can which is to be filled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for packing sauerkraut and similar foodstuffs in which each can-full of the foodstuff may be heated just before it is canned, thereby eliminating possibility of discoloration of the foodstuff and, moreover, saving steam through the greater efficiency of the heating operation.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of a machine built according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the indexible head which carries the filler tubes of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of this head on a still'further enlarged scale, showing details also of the fluid-pressure and exhaust connections to the filler tubes;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the mechanism for indexing the head;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 but on a somewhat enlarged scale and illustrating how the foodstuff is held in the filler tube in its travel from loading station to discharge station;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary axial sectional view showing the rear end of the filling nozzle, the feed worm for filling the nozzle, the mounting of the same, and the clutch which controls its operation;

Fig. 8 is another fragmentary axial sectional view showing the front end ofthe filling nozzle, the feed worm, and the steam jacket for injecting steam into the foodstuff to heat the foodstuff prior to the filling operation;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 0-40 of Fig. '7, showing the drive to the feed screw shaft;

Figs. 11 and 12 are a plan view and a side elevation, respectively, of the air and vacuum commutator of the machine;

Figs. 13 and 14 are a fragmentary plan view and a fragmentary side elevation, respectively, of the machine with parts broken away to show details of the valving and of the controls therefor;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged elevational view of the stop-gate and cut-01f mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view showing the filler nozzle withdrawn from the filer tube and the stop-gate and knife in operative position; and

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the mechanism for withdrawing the hopper and with it the filler nozzle so as to allow the nozzle packing and cut-off operations.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated.

the kraut or other food product, which is to be packed, feeds by gravity from a hopper into a rotating feed worm. The feed worm revolves in a nozzle whose mouth is periodically closed by a gate to permit a quantity of the foodstuff to be compacted in the nozzle. As the nozzle fills with the foodstuff the worm is forced rearwardly; and when the nozzle has been filled, a clutch is tripped to stop the rotation of the worm. A steam jacket surrounds the filling nozzle and as the nozzle fills up with foodstuff, steam is injected from this jacket into the foodstuff to heat it. The nozzle is adapted to register successively with a plurality of filler tubes that are mounted upon a head that is rotatably indexible to bring the tubes successively into register with the nozzle. The worm feeds and compacts the foodstuff into the filling nozzle during the periods of indexing the head. Upon completion of each indexing movement of the head, the gate is swung up out of the way, and the nozzle is moved into the mouth of that filler tube, which has been newly indexed into filling position, then suction is exerted in the bottom of the filler tube so that the atmospheric pressure of the air behind the worm and the foodstuff will cause the worm, which is at this period stationary, to act like a piston and shove the kraut or other foodstuff into the filler tube. Then the hopper is moved slightly away from the filler tube carrying the worm and the filling nozzle with it. The gate is then swung down to cause a knife blade, which it carries, to cut kraut or other foodstuff off. The head is then indexed to move the now-filled filler tube into can-loading position and to move another filler tube into registry with the filling nozzle. During indexing, as before, the filling nozzle is refilled with foodstuff. When the new filler tube reaches the filling station, the nozzle, as before, is engaged with this tube. filled at the filling station, the kraut, spaghetti, or other foodstuff is being forced out of the previously filled filler tube into a can by air-pressure exerted on the bottom of the filler tube.

The filler tubes, which are at the filling and can-loading stations, respectively, are connected with suction and pressure lines, respectively, through a commutator and cooperating blocks. When the blocks are in operative position in engagement with the commutator there are substantially air-tight connections between the blocks and the commutator. The blocks are adapted to be rocked away from the commutator prior to indexing of the head, but are returned to operative position upon completion of the indexing operation.

The cans, which are to be filled, may be moved successively to the loading station by a conveyor belt or in any other suitable manner. A safety device or detector is provided which operates in advance to shut off the suction line from the filler tube, which is at the filling station, if the detector determines that there will be no can at the canloading station when that tube reaches the loading station.

Reference will now be had to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention. In the drawings denotes the framework or base of the machine which is of fabricated steel construction. Journaled in pillow-blocks 2i and 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) on the frame is a shaft 23. This shaft has hub members 24 and 25 (Fig. 4) keyed to it to which is secured a rotary head or drum, denoted as a whole at 30. This drum maybe made in one piece, or, as shown, may comprise While the new filler tube is being the side plates 3| and 32, which are welded or otherwise secured to the hub members 24 and 25, respectively, the band or rim 34, which is welded to the side plates 3! and 32, and the reinforcing ring 35, which is secured to the plate 32 by screws 36 and which is welded to the rim 34.

There are four equi-angularly spaced holes in the rim 34 of the drum in each of which is welded a fitting 3B. Mounted in the fittings 38 are the filler tubes 40. These are soldered or otherwise secured at their outer ends in mouth-pieces 4| that are removably secured in the fittings 38 by nuts 42. These nuts have flanges 43 which are adapted to engage shoulders or flanges 44 formed on the mouth-pieces. The fittings 38 have conical sea-ting surfaces 45 to receive corresponding conical surfaces formed on the rear faces of the mouth-pieces 4|; and the nuts 42 thread onto the fittings. Hence, when the tubes are mounted in the drum or head 38, they may be held rigidly thereon. Each mouth-piece 4! has a conical internal surface 48 formed at its outer end to receive the filler nozzle, as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

Mounted to slide on a pair of parallel rods 50 that are supported by straps 5| (Figs. 1, 2, 15 and 17) above the base or frame 29 of the machine (Fig. 2) is the hopper from which the kraut, spaghetti or other food product is supplied to the machine. This mounting will be described more in detail hereinafter. Secured to the hopper 55 by welding or in any other suitable manner is a tube 56 (Figs. 7 and 8), which carries the filling nozzle 51. A steam jacket 60 (Figs. 12, 7 and 8) surrounds the tube 56 and is secured thereto by welding or in any other suitable manner.

The steam jacket may be constructed as shown in Fig. 8 and comprise the two side-plates GI and 52 that are bolted to the peripheral drum portion 63. The tube 58 is drilled within the steam jacket 6!] with two series of holes 64 and 65 for admission of the steam into the tube. The holes of one series may be staggered angularly with reference to the holes of the other series. Steam may be admitted to the steam jacket through a pipe (not shown) that threads into the collar 66.

Mounted to rotate within the tube 56, filler nozzle 57, and hopper 55 is a feed worm 5E! (Figs. 2, 7 and 8). The convolutions of this worm are integral with or welded to a tube l3. The worm may be secured by means of a nut 72, which is welded to it, and by means of a pin ?l to a rod or shaft 75. The nut 12 threads onto the shaft T5. The rod or shaft 15 rotates in a tube 76; and the tube 13 is journaled on this tube 76.

The tube 73 is mounted in and driven by a tube 86. The tube 80 has two arcuate driving sectors 88 (Fig. 9) welded inside of it; and these sectors 58 engage between two arcuate driven sectors 89 which are welded on the outside of tube 13. The sectors 88 extend the full length of the tube 80 and provide driving engagement with the sectors 89 in any axial position of the feed worm '59. A coil spring 81 surrounds the shaft 55 and is inter posed between the tube 16 and a cap member 82, which is threaded on the tube 80 at the rear end thereof. This spring serves to urge the feed Jorm if! to the right in Fig. '7. A cap member 84, which threads onto the right hand end of tube 80, serves to contain the bushin Z8 by means of which the tube 80 is journaled and supported at its right hand end upon tube 13. The tube 80 is journaled on spaced anti-friction bearings 85 and 86 in a casing 81 which is secured to base 20.

The hopper 55 has an opening 99 (Fig. 2) in its bottom, and there is a registering opening in the tube 56 so that kraut or other foodstuff may feed by gravity from the hopper into the convolutions of worm I9 and be fed by the worm into the feed nozzle 51.

The worm shaft I5 is adapted to be driven from a motor 92 (Fig. 2) through a pulley 93, a belt 99, a pulley 95, shaft 96, coupling 9?, shaft 98, a conventional gear reduction 99, pulley I00, belt WI, and pulley I02. The pulley 93 is mounted on the armature shaft of the motor 92. The pulley I92 is mounted by means of bushing I93 (Fi '7) on the tube 89.

There is a ratchet wheel I95 (Figs. '7 and 10) integral with the pulley I02. This ratchet wheel is adapted to be engaged by a pawl I99 which is fixedly secured at one end of a shaft I91 that is journaled by means of the bushing I98 in a disc I09. There is a lever IIO secured to the other end of this shaft I07. This lever carries a pin III. A coil spring II2 is connected at one end to this pin III and at its opposite end to a pin II3 which is secured in the plate I99. The disc I99 is secured by set screws IM to the tube 89.

Normally the spring II2 holds the pawl I96 in engagement with the ratchet wheel I95 so that the drive from the motor 92 is transmitted to the worm I9 through the tube 99, arcuate driving and driven members 39 and 89, and tube I3.

The gate 239 (Figs. and 16) is down, when the head 39 is being indexed, as will be described more fully hereinafter. This gate serves to close the mouth of filling nozzle 51. Hence, when the gate is down and the feed worm I9 is rotating, the kraut or other foodstuff is compacted between the gate and the worm and the worm. is gradually forced to the left until the drive to the worm is disengaged through the mechanism now to be described.

A plunger H5 (Fig. '7) is adapted to effect disengagement of the paWl I96 from the ratchet wheel to stop the feed worm drive. This plunger is reciprocably mounted in a bracket H9 (Figs. 1, 2 and '7) which is secured to the frame of the machine. The plunger is normally held in withdrawn position, namely, to the left of the position shown in Fig. '7, by a coil spring I I], one end of which is connected to a pin IIS, that is secured in the bracket IIS, and the other end of which is connected to a pin II9. The pin H9 is mounted in an arm I20 which is secured to a stud I2I that is rotatably mounted in the bracket I I9. There is a double arm lever I22 also secured to this stud. One arm of this lever is adapted to engage with a contact ring I29 which is fastened,

to the left hand end of rod 15. The other end of this lever fits into a groove I25 in the plunger Normally the spring II'I holds the lever I22 in the position shown in dotted lines at I22 in Fig. 7. As the worm compacts the foodstuff in the nozzle against gate 299, the worm will be moved to the left against the resistance of spring 9I. When approximately a can-load of sauerkraut has been compacted between the gate 299 and the worm I9 the rod I5 will be forced sufliciently to the left to swing the lever I22 to its full line position against the resistance of the spring II'I. This will move the plunger II5 to the full line position shown in Fig. 7 where it will be in position to engage the lever I I9 as that lever rotates with the disc I99. When the plunger I I5 engages the lever H9, it will swing the lever about the axis of the shaft I0! against the resistance of the spring II2. This will cause the pawl I06, which is secured to the shaft I01, to be disengaged from the ratchet wheel I05. Thus the drive to the feed worm I0 will be stopped. This does not occur until sufficient kraut or other foodstufi" is compacted in nozzle 51 and sleeve 56 to fill a filler tube 40.

When the plunger H5 engages lever IIO it drops into the notch I28 in the lever to lock the pawl I06 out of operative position. The drive to the feed worm will thus be interrupted until the kraut or other foodstuff has been forced from tube 56 into a filler tube 49, as will be described further hereinafter.

During the filling of the filler tube, worm I9 and rod I5 move to the right and, as soon as they have moved far enough to the right, the plunger H5 is disengaged from the notch I28 by action of spring II'I. Spring II2 thereupon acts to restore the pawl I96 to engagement with the ratchet wheel I starting rotation of the feed worm I9 again.

During the time that a filler tube is in registry with the nozzle 51, a suction is exerted to pull the sauerkraut or other food product from the tube 56 into the filler tube 99. Mounted in each filler tube is a nozzle I39 (Fig. 4). Mounted in this nozzle against a perforated back-up plate I3I is a screen I32. The screen is held against the back-up plate by a ring I33 which threads into the nozzle I30.

Each nozzle I39 is formed with an integral tube I35 that has a conical outer end that seats in a block I33. Each block I39 is mounted upon a rod I31 and upon one end of an aligned tube I38. The rod I31 and tube I38 engage in and pass through radial slots I40 (Figs. 3 and 4) formed in the side plates 3! and 32, respectively, of the drum. The rod I3! and tube I39 are also mounted in short tubes HM and I42, respectively. These tubes engage in spiral slots I44 formed in plates I95 and I49 that are welded 1232 a spool I I! which is mounted upon the shaft The inner end of each filler tube 99 is closed by an apertured plate I59 that is welded or otherwise secured to the tube. A coil spring I52, which surrounds the tube I35 and which seats at one end against the plate I59 and at its opposite end against a nut I53, serves to hold the conical inner end I50 of the tube I35 in tight engagement with its seat on block I36. The tension of spring I52 can be adjusted by adjusting the nut I53 on the tube I35 on which it threads. The apertures I55 in plate I50 prevent from pocketing between the plate and nozzle The amount of kraut or other food product which can be filled into a filler tube 40 is determined by the position of the nozzle I39 in the tube. By rotating the discs I45 and I49, the tubes MI and I 92 are caused to move inwardly or outwardly in the radial slots I49 of said plates 32 and 3I through the camming action on these tubes of the spiral slots I 44. Thus, all of the nozzles I39 can be adjusted simultaneously in their respective tubes for the desired volume of kraut. This adjustment can be effected by rotation of the stub shaft I55 which carries a pinion I59 that meshes with a spur gear I51 which is fastened in any suitable manner to the plate I45.

When the drum 39 is rotated to move a filled filler tube 49 from registry with the nozzle 57 to registry with a can, that is to be filled, the kraut is forced out of the filled filler tube into the can by air pressure. The suction for fillin each filler tube and the air pressure for emptyin it are supplied through the tube I33 associated with the filler tube. Suction is exerted or air under pressure is supplied under control of two valves I50 and IEI (Fig. 13). These valves. which may be conventional tappet valves, are adapted to seat in sleeves I62 and I63, respectively, which are threaded into cylinders I54 and IE5, respectively, that are formed in a valve block I63 (Fig. 2) which is mounted upon a plate I51 that is secured to the frame of the machine.

The sleeve I52 is connected with the exhaust line of an air pump (not shown) by a duct I63. The sleeve I 53 is connected with the pressure side of the pump by a duct I59. There may be an individual pressure pump mounted upon each machine, or a number of machines may be connected to common pressure and exhaust lines.

A duct I15 connects the cylinder I64 (Fig. 13) with a block I12 (Figs. 11 and 12) that has a right-angular duct I 14 formed therein. The duct I'iI connects the cylinder I65 with a block I13 that has a right-angular duct I15 formed therein. The two blocks I12 and I13 are secured by bolts I16 to arms I18 and I15, respectively, that are pivotally mounted upon pins I32 and I3I, respectively, in a block I 82. This block is secured to a strap I83 by bolts I84. Strap 583 is secured to the frame of the machine.

The blocks I12 and 13 are like shoes and have arcuate surfaces that are adapted to engage the periphery of a commutator I85 (Figs. 2, 4, 11 and 12) which is keyed to the shaft 23. This commutator has four equi-angularly spaced right angular ducts IE6 formed therein. l'wo of these ducts are adapted to register with the ducts I14 and I15, respectively, in the blocks I12 and I13, respectively, in any indexed position of the drum 33. on exhaust and supply, respectively, one duct I 85 of the commutator will be On exhaust and another duct I85 of the commutator will be on supply.

Each of the ducts I86 is connected by a flexible tubing I88 with one of the tubes I38. Thus, when one of the ducts I85 of the commutator is in registry with the duct I14 in block I12, suction may be exerted on the filler tube 45 to which that duct is connected. Simultaneously pressure I may be exerted on that filler tube 43, which is 510 apart from the first-named filler tube, through the line I1I, duct I15, and the duct I86, line I88 and tube I38 which connect with the latter filler tube.

The blocks I12 and I13 are normally springpressed into engagement with the commutator I85 to have air tight connection with the periphery thereof. For this purpose, a rod I99 (Fig. 12) is provided. This rod is mounted to slide in two blocks I92 and I93 which are pivotally connected by means of pins I94 and I55, respectively, with the arms I18 and I19, respectively. Nuts I56 and I31 are threaded on the two ends of the rods and a coil spring I98 is interposed between the block I 93 and a washer I 99 that seats against the nut i 91.

When it is desired to index the head or drum so, it is desirable to disengage the blocks I12 and 13 from the periphery of the commutator I35, and to hold them disengaged during the indexing movement, so as to prevent any drag on the shaft 23. Disengagement of the blocks from the commutator may be effected by rotation of a cam member 200 (Figs. 4, 11 and 12) which is In this way, when the lines I13 and I'FI are I formed on the periphery of one arm of a double armed lever 29I. This cam member is adapted to engage rollers 202 and 203 that are rotatably mounted upon the blocks I12 and I13, respectively. Low portions in the cam surface register with these blocks when any two of the filler tubes are at the filling and can-loading stations, respectively. When lever arm 20I is rocked, however, high points on the cam surface come into engagement with the rollers to rock the shoes or blocks I12 and I13 clear of the periphery of the commutator so that the head 30 may be indexed. The lever 20I is operated by a rod 205 which is connected by means of a screw 206 with the lever 20L The rod 265 is connected by pin 208 (Fig. 1) with a crank arm 209 that is mounted upon a shaft 2IIlwhich is journaled in brackets 2I I and 2I2 that are secured to the frame of the machine.

The shaft 2Ifi is periodically rocked first in one direction and then in the other under control of a cam 2I5 (Fig. 2) which is mounted upon a shaft 2I6 that is jcurnaled in pillow-blocks 2I1 and 2I8 on the frame. A roller or follower 220 engages the periphery of this cam. This roller or follower is carried by a rod 222 which is connected with the shaft 2I0 in a manner similar to the connection of the rod 235 with that shaft, namely, through an arm 223 that is secured at one end to the shaft and that is connected at its other end by a pin with rod 222.

The shaft 2I6 is adapted to be driven from the motor 92 through the shaft 95, a conventional speed reducer 225, shaft 226 of this reducer. sprocket 221 (Figs. 2 and 5), chain 228, and sprocket 229.

Indexing of the shaft 23 and of the drum 30. which is connected thereto and which carries the filler tubes 40, is effected through a conventional Geneva mechanism. This comprises a locking member 230 (Fig. 5), a driving pin 232, and the driven member 23L The locking member is socured by studs 238 to sprocket 229 to rotate therewith; and the driven member is secured to shaft 23 to rotate the latter. The pin 232 is mounted in the sprocket 229 and is adapted to engage successively in the slots 234 of the driven member to rotate the same a quarter of a turn per revolution of the driver. The member 230 is formed in conventional fashion with a circular locking surface extending through approximately 270 and with a recessed portion occupying the remainder of its periphery. The recessed portion is abreast of the driven member during indexing.

The valves I and. I6I (Fig. 13), which control the direction of flow of air to the filler tubes 4.), are ordinarily held closed by springs 24!]. These springs are interposed between discs 242, that are secured to the stems of the two valves, and nuts 243 which thread thereon and which serve to adjust the tension of the springs. The valves are adapted to be opened against the pressure of these springs by movement of the flexible rods 244 and 245, respectively, each of which abuts at one end against a disc 242, and which are connected at their opposite ends to a bolt 26?. The bolt 241 carries a roller 248 (Figs. 13 and 14) that rides on the periphery of a cam 259. The cam 259 is secured to the shaft H5 and is of the shape shown in Fig. 5. The shafts 244 and 245 slide in blocks 252 and 253, respectively. The block 253 is secured to the frame of the machine. The block 252 is movable laterally thereon.

The cans C (Fig. l), which are to be filled, may be carried to and from the machine on a conveyor belt 255, which runs at one end over a pulley 256. The cans should be placed upon this belt at the proper distances apart so that each time that the drum 36 is indexed, a new can will register with that filler tube 46 which has been newly-moved to the can-loading station. The belt 255 may be intermittently driven by any suitable means. It may be stationary during loading of a can and moved step-by-step during indexing of the head 66, so as to bring the cans successively to the loading station. The means for driving the conveyor may be conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

At times, through inadvertence, an operator may neglect to space the cans properly or to put cans in their regular order upon the conveyor belt. To prevent dumping the contact of a filler tube onto the belt or onto the machine, a safety device has been provided which acts as a detector to feel ahead to see that cans are coming along on the conveyor belt in the required order. This safety device comprises a feeler member 266 (Figs. 13 and 14) which is pivotally mounted at 26! on the frame of the machine. This feeler member is carried by an arm 262 which is pivotally connected by means of a pin 263 with one end of a rod 266 that is pivotally connected at its other end by means of a pin 265 with an arm 266 which is mounted upon a shaft 267 that is journaled in the frame 26 of the machine. Secured to the upper end of the shaft 261 is an arm 268 that engages the free end of a rod 269 which slides in block 252 and which is secured at its other end to block 253. A coil spring 21 6 surrounds this rod, and is interposed between the blocks 252 and 253. This spring normally holds the blocks in the positions shown in Fig. 13.

The feeler member 266 is constantly urged clockwise about its pivot 26 l, as viewed in Fig. 13, by a coil spring 212 (Fig. 14). This spring is secured at one end to an arm 273, which is fastened to shaft 261, and at its other end to a pin 274 which is mounted in the frame of the machine.

The feeler member 266 has a surface 2'15 which is adapted to ride on the cans C as they move successively into position. If a can should be missing from the conveyor, however, then the spring 272, acting through arm 213, shaft 261, arm 266, rod 266, and arm 262 will swing feeler 266 clockwise about its pivot 26 I. This will force the block 252 downwardly in Fig. 13 against the resistance of spring 216, causing block 252 to be moved on bracket #61. This moves rod 244 out of alignment with the stem of valve I66. The valve will not be opened, therefore, by cam 256 while feeler 266 is out of its normal position.

The feeler 266 is so placed that it always tends to contact the can C which is behind the can that is at any given time at the can-loading station. Hence if there is no can behind the can, which is at the can-loading station, no kraut, or other foodstuff being handled, will be drawn by suetion into the filler tube S6 which is at the filling station, and hence, there will be no food product in that filler tube to be unloaded, when that filler tube reaches the loading station.

After a filler tube has been filled at the loading position, the filling nozzle 57 is withdrawn slightly to disengage it from the filler tube. Then the cut-off mechanism is actuated to cut off the kraut, spaghetti, or other food being handled. When the filling nozzle is withdrawn, the hopper 55 is also moved to the left because the sleeve 56, towhich the filling nozzle 51 is secured, is welded to the hopper.

Movement of the filling nozzle to and from operative position is controlled by the cam 2 I 5. Secured to the shaft 2|6 (Figs. 2 and 17) are two spaced arms 286. The free ends of these arms engage two spaced rollers 28l that are rotatably mounted on brackets 282 that are welded or otherwise secured to a plate 283 (Figs. 2, 17 and 15) which is mounted to slide on the rods 56 and which is welded or otherwise secured (Fig. 8) to sleeve 56. A plate 28'! (Figs. 1 and 7), similar to plate 283, is also Welded to sleeve 56 to slide on rods 56. This plate is connected to the hopper 55 by two bars or straps 288 that are welded or otherwise secured to opposite sides of the hopper. The plates 28'! and 283 serve to support the sleeve 56 and hopper 55 from the rods 56.

The cam 2 l5 will be designed to have a rise for moving the hopper and the feed nozzle 51 (Fig. 8) away from a filler tube, after it has been filled, far enough to permit operation of the knife which severs the strings of foodstuff and of the gate 296 (Figs. 15 and 16) which carries that knife. This rise is followed by a dwell which will hold the hopper and feed nozzle in withdrawn position during indexing of head 36. Then the cam will have a return portion permitting return of the hopper and feed nozzle to operative position. The remainder of the cam surface will be a dwell portion, which is operative during filling of each filler tube and which serves to hold the hopper and feed nozzle in operative position during each filling operation.

During indexing of the head 86, as has already been stated, the right hand end of filling nozzle 5i is closed so that the then-rotating feed worm 76 can compact into the nozzle 51 and the right hand end of tube 56 a quantity of foodstuff ready for subsequently loading into a filler tube 46 when that filler tube reaches the filling station. The mechanism for closing filling nozzle 51 comprises gate-member 296 already mentioned (Figs. 1, 2, 15 and 16) which is removably secured to a block 2! by screws 292. The block 29I is fastened to the head of a shaft 294 which is journaled in a supporting block 295. This block is secured by a cap member 296 and screws 29'! about filler nozzle 57 (Figs. 8 and 16). There is a pinion 268 secured to shaft 296 which meshes with a rack 366 that is connected by means of a pin 36! with a rod 362. This rod is pivotally connected by means of a pin 363 (Fig. 2) with a double armed lever 365 that is journaled in the frame on pin 366. This lever carries a lever 361 which engages a face cam 368 that is secured to or integral with cam H5.

The gate member 296 is of steel or other suitable material and is sharpened along one edge to form a knife blade 299. This blade operates to sever the strands of sauerkraut, spaghetti or other foodstuff, that extend between the filling nozzle 57 and a filler tube 46 after the filler tube has been filled.

The face cam 366 has a dwell portion so shaped that the gate 286 is held in an upper, withdrawn position, as indicated in dotted lines at 266' in Fig. 15, during filling of a filler tube, and it has an active portion which causes the gate to be swung down, to cause the knife blade 269 to sever the foodstuff as soon as the filling nozzle has been disengaged from a filler tube after the tube has been filled. This rise portion of cam 368 is followed by a dwell portion that causes gate 296, which carries knife blade 299, to remain down during indexing of head 36, so that the filling nozzle and tube 50 can be filled with th foodstuff. The dwell portion of cam 308 is followed by a portion which causes gate 290 to be swung up out of the way upon completion of indexing of head 30 to permit engagement of nozzle 51 with that filler tube 40 which has been newly indexed into filling position. The gate 200 is shown in full lines in Fig. 15 at the end of its downstroke when the knife 299 will have completed severing the strands of foodstuff that had extended between the filling nozzle and the filler tube. The gate now closes the nozzle 57. The travel of the actuating rack in swinging the gate from its raised, inoperative position downwardly to effect the cut is indicated in Fig. 15, the position of the rack at the beginning of its operative stroke being shown in dotted lines at 300' and the position of the rack at the end of that stroke being shown in full lines at 300. A pinion 309 may be journaled in block 205 to mesh with rack 300 to guide and support the rack in its movement.

After the strands of foodstuff have been severed, the head 30 is indexed through ninety degrees, as already described, moving the filled filler tube 40 from the filling station to can-loading position and bringing an empty filler tube to the filling station. During the counterclockwise movement, as viewed in Fig. 1, of a filled filler tube from the filling to the can-loading station, the mouthpiece 4| of the filler tube rides in an arcuate channel member 3I0 (Figs. 1 and 6) which is shaped to closely fit the mouthpiece. lhus, the contents of the filler-tube are prevented from dropping out of the tube until it reaches can-loading position. The channel member is secured to the frame by a strap 3! I and by welding.

When the filling nozzle 51 engages the new filler tube, which has been indexed to the filling station, the rubber gasket 58 (Fig. 8) provided on the filling nozzle enters the mouthpiece 4| of the filler tube and seals the connection between filling nozzle and filler tube. This gasket has a conical external surface to fit the internal conical seat 48 (Fig. 4) of the mouthpiece of the filler tube.

The operation of the machine will be understood from the preceding description, but may be summed up briefly here.

A quantity of foodstuff sufiicient to fill a can is compacted into the filling nozzle 51 and right hand end of sleeve 56 during each indexing cycle of head 30. Th gate 290 (Figs. 15 and 16) is at this time down, closing the mouth of the filling nozzle; and the filling nozzle is at this time in withdrawn position (Fig. 16). The foodstuff drops from the hopper 55 through the hole 90 (Fig. 2) in the bottom of the hopper between the convolutions of the worm I0 and is moved on and compacted between the gate and the worm as the worm rotates. As the foodstuff is compacted it is simultaneously heated by steam from steam jacket 60.

As the filling nozzle 51 and tube 55 fill up, the worm I0 is forced to the left. When the worm has moved far enough to the left for the rod I5, which is connected with the worm, to rock lever I22 to the full line position shown in Fig. '7, the pin II5, which is moved to the right by lever I22, will ride up on the lever IIO (Fig. 10), causing pawl I06 to be rocked out of engagement with ratchet wheel I05, stopping the drive to the worm.

This occurs during indexingof head 30. Upon completion of the indexing, gate 290 is swung up to its inoperative position, shown in dotted lines at 290 in Fig. 15, by operation of cam 308 (Fig. 2), lever 305, rack 300 (Fig. 15) and pinion 298. Cam 2I5 (Fig. 2) operating through roller 220, rod 222, arm 223, shaft 2I0, arms 280 (Fig. 17) and rollers 28I then causes filling nozzle 57 to be moved into engagement with the filler tube 40 which has now been indexed into filling position.

The bottom of each filler tube is put on suction by operation of cam 250 (Fig. 2) as soon as it is indexed into filling position and remains on suction as long as it is at the filling station, the suction being exerted through tubes I (Fig. 4) I38, and I88, duct I88 of commutator I85 (Figs. 4, 11 and 12) duct I'M of block I12, tubing I10, now-open valve I60 (Fig. 13) and suction line IE8 (Fig. 2). The differential in pressure forces the food product into the filler tube and causes the worm 70, which is now stationary on its axis, also to act more or less like a piston to push the foodstufi into the filler tube.

As the worm 70 moves back to the right shoving the foodstuff into the filler tube, the rod 15 is moved away from lever I22, allowing spring II "I to disengage pin IE5 from notch I28 (Fig. 10) of lever IIO. This permits spring II2 to return pawl I00 into engagement with ratchet wheel I 05; and thus the drive to worm 10 is re-engaged.

When the filler tube is filled, cam 2I5 (Fig. 2) will have rotated far enough to actuate lever arms 200 (Fig. 17) through connecting rod 222, lever arm 223, and shaft 2 I 0 to cause filling nozzle 5'! to be withdrawn from the now-filled filler tube 40; and this nozzle 57 together with hopper will be moved to the left in Figs. 1 and 2.

Immediately thereafter cam 308, which rotates with cam 2I5, will have rotated far enough to cause gate 290 (Fig. 15) to be swung down causing knife blade 299 to sever the strands of foodstuff remaining between the filling nozzle 51 and the filler tube 40.

While the filling nozzle is being withdrawn, cam 250 (Figs. 2, 13 and 14) will have rotated far enough for roller 248 to drop into a low spot on the cam and both valves I and I6I will be closed. Closing of valve I 00 will shut off the suction from the bottom of the filler tube 40 which is at the filling station. Closing of valve IGI will shut off the supply of air under pressure to the bottom of the filler tube 40 which is at the can-loading station.

Immediately thereafter rod 205 (Figs. 2, 11 and 12) will be moved to rock cam lever 20I to cause blocks I'l'2 and I73 to be disengaged from the periphery of commutator I05. Then the pin 232 (Fig. 5) of sprocket 220 will come into engagement with one of the slots 234 of Geneva wheel 23I; and the drum 30 will be indexed through a quarter of a turn. This will bring a new, empty filler tube 40 to the filling station and move the previously-filled filler tube 40 to can-loading position.

During indexing, the gate 290 (Figs. 1, 2, l5 and 16) remains in operative position, closing filling nozzle 5? and permitting worm to fill the filling nozzle and right hand end of tube 56 again.

As soon as the indexing is completed, member 230 will lock the Geneva wheel and drum again against rotation. As soon as the indexing is completed, also, cam 308 will cause gate 290 to be swung up to inoperative position and cam 2I5 in its rotation will rock shaft 2I0 to cause filling nozzle 51 to be brought back into operative position to enter into the mouthpiece II of the new filler tube, which is now at the filling station, and to cause rod 205 (Figs. 2, l1 and 12) to rock cam lever f back to permit return of blocks I12 and H3 into engagement with commutator I85. This connects the suction and supply lines with the empty filler tube, which is at the filling station, and with the full filler tube, which is at the can-loading station, respectively.

Immediately thereafter cam 250 (Figs. 2, 13 and 14) will have rotated far enough to push rods 2% and 2 to the right to open valves I69 and [6| again to put the new filler tube, which is the filling station, on suction, and the full filler tube, which is at the can-loading station, on pressure. The air under pressure which is thus applied to the bottom of the full filler tube, which is at the can-loading station, forces the foodstufi out of that tube into the can 0 on the conveyor 255 which is at that station.

While the contents of the filler tube, which is at the can-loading station are being emptied under air-pressure into a can C, the filler tube, which is at the filling station, is being filled by the differential in pressure between the suction on the bottom of the tube and atmospheric pressure on the worm and foodstuff. Thus, the machine is extremely efficient in operation; one filler tube is being filled while a previouslyfilled filler tube is being emptied. The whole operation is automatic. Moreover, the food is not touched by human hands during the operation. The quantity of food placed in a can may, moreover, be exactly predetermined and measured byadjusting the screens I38 (Fig. 4) in the filler tubes. As previously stated, the screens I in all four filler tubes 40 can be adjusted simultaneously to provide exactly the same volume of food capacity in all four filler tubes. This adjustment is effected by rotation of the plates I and H36 (Figs. 2 and 4).

The adjusted volume of the filler tubes should equal the volume of foodstuffs which it is desired to place in each can being loaded. The diameter of a filler tube may be considerably less than the diameter of the cans which are to be filled; and the desired quantity of foodstufis per can may be obtained by adjusting the screen I31! so that the effective height of the filler tubes will be proportionately greater than the height of the cans which are to be packed. This arrangement has especially advantage in the packing of foodstuffs like spaghetti for this will make the strands of spaghetti which are loaded into the cans longer than the heights of the cans, a feature which will prove attractive to spaghetti lovers.

There are other advantages also, in making the diameter of the filler tubes less than the diameter of the cans C. One of these is greater ease in filling the cans. When the column of foodstuff being discharged from a filler tube ii! into a can C is smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the can, the air in the can may escape between the column of foodstuff and the inside wall of the can as the air is displaced by the foodstufi; and there is noentrapped air to resist filling of the can. Another advantage is that the foodstuff will be away from the sides of the can so that it will not tend to string over the edges of the can, a condition which requires further handling of the can before it can be capped and sealed. A still further advantage is the more accurate control over the weight of foodstuff to be packed in a can. A volumetric tube of small diameter and relatively long length will permit greater tolerance in column length. Any error in the length of the strands of foodstuff out oif produces a much smaller percentage of variation in the volume of foodstuff in the filler tube when the filler tube is long and narrow than when the filler tube is short and wide.

With the machine of this invention the tubes 40 and adjustable nozzles I30 permit very close control of the quantity of foodstuffs to be packed in each can. This control is made the more exact by reason of the fact that the foodstuff is compacted in filling nozzle 51 and tube 56 before it is filled into a filler tube. This is done by feed worm It. In its action feed worm "I0 packs the foodstuff so tight that air cannot pass freely through it and destroy the vacuum produced in the filler tube 40. The compacting of the foodstuff in filling nozzle 51 and tube 56 insures a consistent weight of product in the cans C as the foodstuff will always be packed to the same density in nozzle 51 and tube 56 before it is forced into volumetric filler tube 40.

With the present machine, also, a can-load of foodstuff is heated at a time in tube 56. This avoids discoloring, keeps the product, if it is sauerkraut, crisp, and saves steam.

Many additional advantages of the machine will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The word can as used in the application and claims is used in a generic sense to include jars or any other containers.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For instance, if it is found that screens I32 tend to clog with a particular food product, a steam or air-pressure line may be connected through a block (similar to blocks I12 and I13) with commutator I so as to provide a third or blowing-out station for the filler tubes 40. With this construction, a filler tube will be filled at the filling station in one indexed position of head 30; it will be unloaded at the can-loading station in another indexed position of head 30; and it will be blown out at the blowing-out station in still a third indexed position of the head. Other modifications may also be made as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

While the invention has been described in connection with a machine for packing foodstuffs, the invention is in many respects applicable to other types of filling or packing machinery; and it is to be understood, therefore, that, except where specifically noted, the invention is not limited to food-packing machinery. understood that while the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment thereof and a particular use therefor, it is capable of various modifications and uses; and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention fol lowing, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A machine for packing cans, comprising a.

It will be p rotatably indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted on said head in equi-angularly spaced relation, said head having ducts therein leading to the bottom of each of said containers, a support, a pair of conductor members movably mounted on said support and spaced angularly from one another about the axis of said head, means for moving the conductor members on said support to and from operating positions, each of said conductor members having a duct therein connected with one of the ducts in the head when the conductor members are in operating positions, means connecting the duct in one of said conductor members with a source of suction, means connecting the duct in the other conductor member with a source of fluid-pressure, means for indexing the head, means for moving the two conductor members out of operating positions prior to indexing thereof, and means for returning the two conductor members into operating positions after the head has been indexed.

2. A machine for packing cans comprising a rotatably indexible head, a plurality of equiangularly spaced containers mounted therein, a bottom member adjustable in each of said containers to determine the volume of the container, and means for simultaneously adjusting all of said bottom members equal distances comprising a plurality of laterally-projecting pins each of which extends through a slot in the head, that is radial of the axis of the head, and each of which is secured to one of the bottom members, a disc which is mounted to rotate about the axis of the head, and which has a plurality of slots therein,

that are curved spirally about the axis of the head and each of which is adapted to receive one of said pins, and means for rotatably adjusting said disc on its axis.

3. A machine for packing cans comprising a rotatably indexible head, a plurality of equiangularly spaced containers fixedly mounted therein, a bottom member adjustable in each of said containers to determine the volume of the container, means for applying suction or airpressure selectively to the containers comprising a radially extending tube connected to each bottom member, a block into which each of said tubes extends, means for supporting the block in offset relation to the axis of the head, a disc having a plurality of slots therein that are arranged spirally about the axis of the head, a tube extending laterally from each block through one of the spiral slots in the disc and through a radial slot in the head, and means for rotatably adjusting said disc, means for connecting said laterally-extending tubes with a source of suction and a source of air-pressure when containers are at a filling station and an unloading station,.respectively, and means for indexing the head. to move the containers from filling station to unloading station, each of said blocks'having a duct therein for connecting the tubes which extend into the block.

4. A machine for packing cans, comprising a filling member, a hopper communicating with said member, a feed worm rotatable in said member to feed stock from the hopper forward in the member, an indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted in said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the filling member to an unloading position, means for rotating the worm, and means for moving said worm bodily axially to force the 16 stock out of the filling member into a container when the container is at the filling station.

5. A machine for packing material into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a movable closure for closing the mouth of said nozzle, means for compacting the material into said nozzle against said closure while the mouth of said nozzle is closed, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for moving the closure to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, means for thereupon forcing the material out of the nozzle into the container and means for forcing the material out of the container into a can when the container is in unloading position.

6. A machine for packing foodstuffs into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a hopper communicating with said nozzle to supply foodstuff thereto, a gate for closing the mouth of said nozzle, means for compacting the foodstuff into said nozzle against said gate while the gate is closed, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, each of which is adapted to hold a can-full of foodstuff, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for intermittently actuating the compacting means in the intervals of indexing the head, means for moving the gate to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, and means for thereupon forcing the foodstuff out of the nozzle into the container.

7. A machine for packing foodstuff into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a hopper communicating with said nozzle to supply foodstuff thereto, a gate for closing said nozzle, a rotary worm for feeding foodstuff from the hopper into the nozzle and against the gate to compact the foodstuff in the nozzle, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, each of which is adapted to hold a can-full of foodstuif, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for intermittently driving the worm to compact approximately a can-full of the foodstuff in the nozzle, means for injecting steam into the foodstuff while it is being compacted, means for moving the gate to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, and means for thereupon transferring the foodstuff from the nozzle to the container.

8. A machine for packing foodstuff into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a hopper communicating with said nozzle to supply foodstuff thereto, a gate for closing said nozzle, a rotary and axially movable worm for feeding foodstuff from the hopper into the nozzle and against the gate to compact the foodstuff in the nozzle, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, each of which is adapted to hold a can-full of foodstuff, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for intermittently driving the worm to compact approximately a can-full of the foodstuff in the nozzle, means for moving 17 the gate to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, and means for thereupon moving the worm axially to force foodstuff out of the nozzle into the container.

9. A machine for packing foodstuff into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a hopper communicating with said nozzle to supply foodstuff thereto, a gate for closing said nozzle, a rotary and axially movable worm for feeding foodstuff from the hopper into the nozzle and against the gate to compact the foodstuif in the nozzle, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, each of which is adapted to hold a can-full of foodstufi, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for intermittently driving the worm to compact approximately a can-full of the foodstuff in the nozzle, means for moving the gate to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, and means for exerting suction in the bottom of each container when it is in filling position to create a differential in pressure to move the worm axially to force foodstuff out of the nozzle into the container.

10. A machine for packing foodstuif into cans comprising a filling nozzle, a hopper communieating with said nozzle to supply foodstufi thereto, a gate for closing said nozzle, a rotary and axially movable worm for feeding foodstuff from the hopper into the nozzle, means for driving the worm, means for constantly urging the worm axially toward the gate to effect compacting of the foodstuif against the gate, means operable by the worm when approximately a can-full of foodstuff has been compacted in the nozzle to stop the rotation of the worm, an indexible head, a plurality of volumetric containers mounted on said head, each of which is adapted to hold a can-full of foodstuff, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling position in registry with the nozzle to an unloading position in registry with a can, means for moving the gate to inoperative position when a container registers with the nozzle, and means for thereupon moving the worm axially toward the mouth of the nozzle to force the foodstuff out of the nozzle into the container.

11. A machine for packing material into cans comprising an indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted on said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers from a filling station to an unloading station, a filling nozzle, means for moving 1e filling nozzle into engagement with each container when it arrives at the filling station and for disengaging the nozzle from the head prior to indexing the head, means for creating a differential in pressure between the filling nozzle and each container, when the container is at the filling station, to cause the material to be forced into the container, and means for applying pneumatic pressure in the bottom of each container, when it is at the unloading station, to force the material out of the container into a can.

12. A machine for packing cans with a food product comprising a sleeve having an opening therein, a hopper registering with said opening and adapted to supply the food product to the sleeve, a feed worm rotatably mounted in said sleeve and adapted'on rotation to feed the product forward in said sleeve, a gate for closing the discharge end of said sleeve, drive means for rotating the worm, means for constantly urging the worm in one direction and against which the worm is adapted to be moved axially in the opposite direction as the stock is compacted against the gate, and means operable upon movement of the worm axially a predetermined distance in said opposite direction to disengage the worm drive means.

13. A machine for packing cans with stringy material, comprising an indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted in said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a filling station to an unloading station, a filling nozzle for feeding stock into the containers, means for automatically moving the nozzle into engagement with each container, when it is indexed to the filling station, and for automatically withdrawing the nozzle from engagement with the container, when the filling operation is completed, and means automatically operable upon separation of the nozzle from a container to cut off the strings of the material between the nozzle and the container.

14. A machine for packing cans comprising a hopper having an opening in its bottom, a sleeve which is secured to said hopper and which has an opening therein registering with the opening in the hopper, a feed worm mounted in the sleeve for rotary and axial movement, means for urging the worm axially in one direction, means for rotating the worm to feed stock through the sleeve toward the mouth of the sleeve at one end thereof, a blocl: mounted upon said sleeve adjacent its mouth, a gate pivotally mounted in said block in position to be swung in front of the mouth of the sleeve, a rotatably indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted in said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a position of registration with the mouth of said sleeve to an unloading position, means for moving the sleeve in one direction to move its mouth into operative relation with each container when the container is indexed into registration therewith and for moving the sleeve in the opposite direction to withdraw its mouth from the container when the container has been filled with stock, and means for swinging the gate up out of the way prior to registry of a container with the sleeve, and for swinging the gate into operative position again upon withdrawal of the sleeve from a container.

15. A machine for packing cans comprising a hopper having an opening in its bottom, a sleeve which is secured to said hopper and which has an opening therein registering with the opening in the hopper, a feed worm mounted in the sleeve for rotary and axial movement, means for urging the worm axially in one direction, means for rotating the worm to feed stock through the sleeve toward the mouth of the sleeve at one end thereof, a block mounted upon said sleeve adja cent its mouth, a gate pivotally mounted in said block in position to be swung in front of the mouth of the sleeve, a rotatably indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted in said head, means for indexing the head to move the containers successively from a position of registration with the mouth of said sleeve to an unloading position, means for moving the sleeve in one direction to move its mouth into operative relation with each container when the container is indexed into registration therewith and for moving the sleeve in the opposite direction to withdraw its mouth from the container when the container has been filled with stock, means for swinging the gate up out of the way prior to registryof a container with the sleeve, and for swinging the gate into operative position again upon withdrawal of the sl eve from a container, and a knife-blade carried by the gate and adapted to sever any strands of stock between the sleeve and container on movement of the gate to operative position.

16. A machine for packing cans, comprising a rotatably indexible head, a plurality of containers mounted in the head, a commutator mounted coaxially with the head to rotate therewith, said head bein provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced ducts, one of which leads to the bottom of each container, said commutator being-provided with a plurality of ducts equal in number to the number of ducts in the head and equally spaced angularly, flexible ducts connecting each duct of the commutator with a duct inthe'head, a pair of shoes mounted to engage the periphery of the commutator, each of said shoes having a duct therein which is adapted to register with one duct of the commutator when the shoe is in engagement with the head, the duct-in one shoe being connected to a suction line and the duct in the other shoe being connected to a pneumatic pressure line, a cam member operable prior to each indexing movement of the head to disengage the shoes from the commutator, and'means for returning the shoes into engagement with the head upon completion of the indexing operation.

17.-'A machine for packing cans of stringy material comprising a hopper, a sleeve communicating withsaid hopper, amovably mounted gate for closing themouth of said sleeve, a feed worm rotatably mounted in said sleeve, means for rotating the worm to move stock through the sleeve and compactit againstthe gate, means for automatically stopping the rotation of the feed worm after a predetermined quantity of stock has been compacted against the gate; a rotatably indexible'head, a plurality of containers mounted in said head in equi-angular spaced relation, means for-periodically indexing the head to move the containers "from a filling station toan unloading statiommeans for applying suction in the bottom of eachcontainer when it is at the filling station, means for applying air-pressure in the bottom of each container when it is at the unloading station, means for moving the sleev 'in one direction, after each indexing operation, to bring its mouth into registry with the container which is at the filling station, and in the opposite direction, after the container has been filled, to Withdraw the sleeve from the container, means for moving the gate out of operative position prior to registry of a container with the sleeve and for fiioving the gate into operative position again upon withdrawal of the sleeve from the container, a knife blade carried by the gate for cutting ofi strings of stock extending between the sleeve and the filled container when the gate is returned to operative position, and means for disconnecting both suction and airpressure from the containers upon completion of the filling and unloading operations at 'the respective stations and during each indexing movement of the head.

' DOUGLAS M. MCBEAN.

LAURENCE C. TALLMAN.

RICHARD E. IUIOYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 961,741 Workman June 1 1, 1910 2,098,905 Westin et al Nov. 9, 1937 2,152,753 Cox e Apr. 4, 1939 2,274,606 Christiansen Feb. 24, 1942 2,336,415 Nordquist et al. Dec. '7, 1943 2,433,061 Pearson et al. Dec. 23, 1947 2,437,216 Wilson et al. Mar. 2, 1948 2,444,155 De Back June 29, 1948 2,498,100 Tyrrell Feb. 21, 1950 2,540,059 Stirn et a1 Jan. 30, 1951 

